the pentagon has agreed to allow women in front line combat roles. will this help or harm the u.s. military? here's pentagon korncorresponde chris lawrence. >> reporter: with a stroke of his pen, defense secretary leon panetta altered the look of the american sword. >> not everyone is going to be able to be a combat soldier. but everyone is entitled to a chance. >> reporter: panetta officially opened well over 200,000 combat jobs to women. now the question is, can they physically qualify? >> i think that it's already been proven. >> reporter: sergeant jennifer hunt was attached to an infantry battalion in afghanistan. she still remembers the six-mile runs in full gear. >> i found that physically taxing to have that pack on my back. but i still was able to, you know, make the requirement of going that six miles. >> reporter: a number of nato countries permit women in combat like canada, france, germany, and australia. the british do not. the secretary's action technically opens all jobs. but the services can still apply for specific exemptions. if women are not able to meet certain